Drivers can end up charged with a criminal act if they operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Santa Barbara. A driving under the influence (DUI) conviction can lead to fines and jail time. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can even suspend your driver’s license.
Fortunately, you can get legal advice for handling DUI charges right now. A DUI lawyer in Santa Barbara can go over the facts of your case to begin constructing your defense. Get the professional help you need by calling the Simmrin Law Group now.
Charges for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in Santa Barbara
Driving under the influence of alcohol is strongly prohibited in California. Drivers must legally keep their blood alcohol content (BAC) below a certain level to operate a vehicle. There is not one BAC level used for every driver in the state. Instead, the state breaks drivers down into the following segments:
- Non-Commercial Drivers Over 21
- Commercial Drivers Over 21
- Drivers Under 21
These groups must adhere to different BAC limits. Drivers over 21 must legally maintain a BAC under 0.08%. Commercial drivers are permitted a BAC of 0.04% or lower. Drivers under 21 cannot drive if their BAC is 0.01% or above.
Note that, in some cases, a police officer can charge you with a DUI even if your BAC does not register as above these limits. Depending on your situation, you could be charged with one of California’s many DUI charges, which can include:
- California Vehicle Code Section 23140: Under 21 DUI With a Blood Alcohol Content Between 0.05-0.07%
- California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a): Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol
- California Vehicle Code Section 23152(b): Driving With A Blood Alcohol Content Of 0.08% Or Higher
Charges for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs in Santa Barbara
You can also face criminal charges for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs. This criminal act can be prosecuted under California Vehicle Code Section 23152(f): Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.
You may face this charge for a DUI involving prescription medications or illegal drugs.
Repercussions for Driving Under the Influence in California
California can hand down incredibly harsh penalties for DUI convictions. The exact penalties you can face will vary depending on the specific DUI charge you are facing. However, you can generally expect to be subjected to:
- Thousands of Dollars in Fines
- Years of Time in Jail
- The Suspension of Your License
You may be required to attend an alcohol treatment program after a DUI conviction in Santa Barbara. You should also be aware that DUI charges are ‘priorable’ in California. This means that previous charges will count against you if you are charged with additional DUIs. The penalties for a conviction grow more severe with each DUI charge you face.
Get Legal Help Handling DUI Charges in Santa Barbara
You don’t have to face the severe repercussions of a DUI charge on your own. You can get legal advice by reaching out to a Santa Barbara criminal defense lawyer right now. A professional DUI lawyer can:
- Go Over the Facts of Your Case
- Work to Block Evidence
- Dispute the Results of Your BAC Test
Depending on your unique legal situation, your lawyer may be able to resolve your case in a number of ways. A DUI lawyer could:
Negotiate a Plea Bargain
Plea bargains offer you reduced penalties if you agree to plead guilty to a lessened charge. Dry reckless charges are often used as part of DUI plea bargains. You still face penalties if you accept a plea bargain, but they are generally not as severe as a DUI conviction.
Fight for You in Court
Some DUI cases can be fought in the courtroom in Santa Barbara. Your lawyer may be able to argue against the results of any BAC test you took. These tests are not always accurate and may be disputed. A lawyer might also be able to show that you should never have been stopped by a police officer in the first place.
You can get personalized legal advice about your unique situation by reaching out to the Simmrin Law Group today.
Fight Back with a Santa Barbara DUI Lawyer
Getting professional help can increase the odds that you will beat DUI charges in California. Start building your defense now by contacting the Simmrin Law Group. Our DUI lawyers in Santa Barbara can start going over your charges with a FREE case evaluation.
Call us at (310) 896-2723, or fill out our online contact form to start getting answers to your legal questions.